Fashion model an identity thief?

Filed in archive News on August 7, 2006

I guess this week will be dedicated to celebrities having money issues. After writing about Tori Spelling selling her clothes on eBay (no, it's not for charity), I read on The Runway Scoop that a fashion model Beverly Peele is an alleged identity thief.

"Hmmm...maybe modeling doesn't pay as well as we think! Fashion model, Beverly Peele, is pleading no contest to a charge of identity theft and is being sentenced to three years probation and up to 300 hours of work in the community."

writes Maria Palma.

And what did the model, who once wore Prada and Versace, need the money for? FoxNews give us the answer:

"Prosecutors alleged that she charged furniture, a refrigerator, a washer and dryer and other items for her home on credit cards that were in a wallet she had found in a supermarket. Peele returned the wallet to the owner but not before apparently taking down the numbers on the charge cards, investigators said."

As I'm well aware that 90% of grown-ups have to work very hard to get some money, Beverly Peele has certainly made some big bucks back in 80s and 90s. She began modeling very young, when she was 12, and she rose to fame so quickly that she earned millions in her teen years. Her nickname back than was Baby Naomi. But, as the Wikipedia article suggests she might have spend her money on drugs and alcohol.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?